By Luke Mathews
Despite some Josh D’intinosante heroics, Frankston has proved to be too strong for Coburg, with the Lions going down by 17 points at Kinetic Stadium on Friday night.
Jamie Cassidy-McNamara’s side was unable to back up last week’s drought breaking win, with the five-day break proving too difficult to overcome an impressive Frankston outfit.
Frankston lead all day however it was former Northern Knight and South Morang product Josh D’intinosante who provided the spark and kept the Lions in it for much of the night.
After two goals last week against the magpies and three for the season, D’intinosante booted four of the Lions eight goals on a night where the Lions struggled to hit the scoreboard.
The small forward continued his love affair with Kinetic stadium, making it seven goals in two games, after he kicked three goals in the same encounter three years earlier.
Joel Trudgeon once again staked his claim for a first Jim Sullivan medal, collecting a game high 29 touches to go with his 11 tackles and five inside 50s. The former Box Hill Hawk hasn’t missed a beat since changing clubs in the off season making it four impressive performances from his first four games.
Ruckman Cooper Keough continued his rapid rise from the EDFL to a permanent VFL starter. The former Coburg Districts ruckman was dominant in the ruck with 38 hitouts and 24 touches and solidified his spot as the side’s number one ruckman.
The future does look bright for the Lions with midfield young guns Flynn Gentile and Tom Rowland both putting in strong performances that will excite Coburg supporters.
The ever-reliable Gentile is continuing to build on his superb first two seasons with the club, finishing with 27 touches and seven inside fifties. However, it was wingman Tom Rowland who caught the eye of many of the spectators at Kinetic Stadium as he gathered 23 touches and seven marks.
The Altona product and former Western Jet struggled to break into Jamie Cassidy-McNamara’s side last year but Friday night’s performance was a breakout game for the 21-year-old that he will be looking to build upon for the rest of the season.
It was a stalemate for much of the opening term. D’intinosante booted the lions only goal for the opening term. The crafty small forward gathered a Caleb Ernst handball and snapped through Coburg’s first for the match. The dolphins however were able to wrestle the lead their way, kicking two goals to one and led by nine points at the first break.
Frankston threatened to run away with the lead to begin the second term. The dolphins established a 15 point lead early in the second quarter before D’intionsante wrapped up Tyson Milne after he slipped over on the boundary line. The number seven calmy went back and slotted his second from the toughest of angles to keep the lions in the contest.
Frankston continued to punish Coburg’s mistakes, opening up a 20 point lead after time on in the second quarter. Sam Grant then made the most of his opportunities in front of goal, kicking the lions third for the match reducing the margin to 13 points after he was pushed in the back just before the half time siren.
The dolphins made the most of their opportunities early in the third quarter, establishing a four goal buffer 10 minutes into the third term. Once again it was D’intinosante who provided the spark and kept the lions in it. D’intinosante marked a Lachlan Walker kick 55 metres out from home before he wheeled around onto his right boot to kick his third for the match. Seven minutes later Flynn Gentile sent the
lions inside 50 and the small forward pounced on a loose ball and quickly got it to his boot to kick his fourth and reduce the margin to 11 points. The momentum was stopped with Frankston kicking the final two goals of the quarter to take a 23 point lead into the final break.
Frankston opened the final quarter the same way they finished the last, kicking two quick goals to put the result almost beyond doubt. Just like they have all year, the lions were determined to finish strongly. Kyle Weightman was rewarded for his efforts all day, snapping through his first.
Tom Mckenzie then hit up Liam Serong. The Gippsland power product made no mistake and kicked his first of the evening and then minutes late Sam Grant was tripped right in front of goal and given a 50-metre penalty which ensured the tall forward’s second goal of the evening. The late fightback just wasn’t enough as the dolphins ran out 16-point winners.
Coburg will get a much needed eight day break before taking on a familiar foe Richmond, next Saturday at Piranha Park.
